Photochromic windshield

Abstract

An automobile including a photochromic windshield is provided. The automobile includes a frame and at least one drive motor supported by the frame. A plurality of wheels supports the frame and is driven by the at least one drive motor. A windshield is secured to the frame. The windshield includes a transparent material and a photochromic substance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automobile comprising:
 a frame;   at least one drive motor supported by the frame;   a plurality of wheels supporting the frame, wherein at least one of the plurality of wheels is driven by the at least one drive motor; and   a windshield secured to the frame and comprising a transparent material and a photochromic substance.   
     
     
         2 . The automobile of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent material is glass. 
     
     
         3 . The automobile of  claim 2 , wherein the photochromic substance comprises a microcrystalline silver halide. 
     
     
         4 . The automobile of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent material is plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The automobile of  claim 4 , wherein the photochromic substance comprises organic photochromic molecules. 
     
     
         6 . The automobile of  claim 5 , wherein the organic photochromic molecules comprises at least one of oxazines and napthopyrans. 
     
     
         7 . The automobile of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent material comprises at least one layer of glass and a layer of plastic. 
     
     
         8 . The automobile of  claim 1 , wherein the photochromic substance is embedded within at least one of the layer of glass and the layer of plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The automobile of  claim 8 , wherein the photochromic substance is embedded within the layer glass and the layer of plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The automobile of  claim 9 , wherein the photochromic substance within the at least one layer of glass comprises a microcrystalline silver halide and the photochromic substance within the layer of plastic comprises at least one of oxazines and napthopyrans.